Cressington Isles has to come up with $1,000 every month for the next 12 months –a total of $12,000-to compensate his 46-year-old cousin Leroy Patrick whom he slashed with a cutlass several times during an altercation last year.
In default of these payments he will spend nine months in jail.
Isles, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm to Patrick on Monday before Justice Birnie Stephenson-Brooks.
He was also fined $7,000 where the first $5,000 of that amount must be paid within the next six months or he will spend 24 months in jail. Isles was also bound over to keep the peace for three years.
According to the facts presented by the state prosecutor, the incident occurred on April 18 2009 in Winston Lane as a result of an argument between the men over the defendant’s grandmother’s gate which he had left open after visiting her.
According to the prosecutor, an argument ensued, which led to Isles fetching his cutlass and ending up cutting the complainant. Patrick sustained a 12 cm wound on the lateral side of his neck-which according to the doctor’s report, caused major nerve damage and has reduced Patrick’s mobility.
The complainant also a received five cm oblique wound to middle of his left knee.
Isles’ lawyer –Peter Alleyene-who mitigated on his behalf, told the court that his client had felt threatened by the complainant who had a piece of wood and stones making noise with him about the gate which caused him to get his cutlass.
the laws needs to be refurbished, to many major crimes getting petty fines
Why is the courts so soft on cutlass crimes. Does it have to be a gun crime for them to get serious? whats the difference between killing a man with a gun or with cutlass. The moment a Gun is used the blindfolded judges would wan tot make sure they send the strongest message. every one is demanding that persons head, even when it’s and accident. Cutlass is our greatest threat in Dominica. we should be much tougher on cutlass crime, because of the barbaric nature. Am sorry, but 12,000 is an insult, not compensation. The courts place very little value on the lives of Dominicans. I have been following that sick trend for a number of years. Almost every time a cutlass is used on a human being, the charge should be attempted murder. We need special legislation to address this cutlass madness thats being going on in the nation. People are becoming more fierce, angry and stupid these days, so the authorities must get sober and serious . these idiots know that the court will be soft on them, thats why they are so quick to use the cutlass. The situation is so serious, maybe we should start to license cutlass
Somehow i think we leveling the wrong charges against these criminal. You slash a man by his neck with a cutlass and that is greivious bodily harm? no sah…that is attempted murder. And you left and come back with the cutlass…that is premeditated
What am i missing here? the judgement does not fit the crime. The laws need to be updated to fit the new crimes and levels of crime in our country.
thats atempted murder
Given the fact that the injury was such that the man has lust the normal functions of his neck, the accused should have been charged with Attempted Murder. The fines and jail time in the default thereof are just not sufficient in this particular case.
YEA…….BUT WHEN THEY IMPOSE HASHER PONISMENTS, “WE” BLACK PPL CRY FOUL ON THE JUDGE’S SENTENCING….TIANI BEING THE PERFECT EXAMPLE OF POBLIC PROCECUTION… IF NO EXAMPLE IS MADE OF THESE GUYS, WHY DO “WE” BLACK PPL COMPLAIN WHEN THEY DO THESE THINGS…..
TO ME, HE SHOULD BE JAILED N STILL ASKED TO PAY THE FINES…….N MORE JAIL IF HE FAILS TO COMPLY…
Turtle meat is more expensive than human meat….what a life
I love this new trend that this judge is taking….. compensation to the victims…. hopefully this should deter this wooligans
HOOLIGANS. Get it right.
Wooligans or Hooligans who cares? Lol Mem Bet Mem Pwel. I love this Judge